LA Press Club Celebrates World Press Freedom Day
- The Beverly Arts
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Attorney Peter Bibring, journalist Georgia Fort, and Clayton Weimers, North America Director for Reporters without Borders
Los Angeles, California, USA. 3rd May, 2026. Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters Sans Frontières) and the Los Angeles Press Club (LAPC) hosted an event in Los Angeles celebrating World Press Freedom Day. The event featured panel discussions with experts addressing the current state of press freedom, including recent developments affecting domestic and international journalism. Members of the Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA) organization were also in attendance including TV host Joey Zhou, founder of the Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA), Professor Lingyun Xiang, producer Tina Liu, artist Yun Wang, and LABA coordinator Natalie Chen.
Speakers Mariel Garza, Georgia Fort, Peter Bibring, Adam Rose, and Clayton Weimers
The event brought together journalists, media professionals, advocates, and members of the community for thoughtful discussions about the evolving challenges facing journalists. The gathering created an opportunity for open dialogue on the role of independent media in democratic societies. Some of the topics covered included:
Attacks on press freedom worldwide
Protection of journalists
Governmental pressures
Social media and misinformation
Safety of reporters covering protests and conflicts
Journalism and AI
Mariel Garza, Lucas Shaw, and Adam Rose
The Event Speakers:
Meher Tatna - Past president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), journalist, producer, and prominent advocate for diversity and the advancement of women in media. She is widely recognized for her contributions to entertainment journalism, international film promotion, and her leadership role within the HFPA organization and the Golden Globe Awards.
Adam Rose – Deputy Director of Advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF). Rose has more than 20 years of experience as a journalist and editor for media organizations including LAist, the Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, and CBS/Paramount.
Georgia Fort – A three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and prominent media figure in Minnesota. Fort drew national attention after federal agents arrested her at her home following her coverage of an ICE protest. She continues to advocate for press freedom and the protection of journalists nationwide.
Mariel Garza – Former LAPC board member and respected leader in the local journalism community. Garza served as an opinion editor for several California publications and resigned from the Los Angeles Times after the newspaper blocked the editorial board from endorsing a presidential candidate.
Lucas Shaw – Oversees media and entertainment coverage for Bloomberg News in Los Angeles and authors the award-winning Screentime newsletter. Shaw covers the intersection of Hollywood and Silicon Valley, providing insight into corporate media ownership and the evolving entertainment industry.
Peter Bibring – Attorney and First Amendment advocate, Bibring has represented the LAPC and individual journalists in several landmark legal cases. He has secured federal injunctions against ICE, Border Patrol, and the LAPD to protect journalists’ ability to report freely.
Clayton Weimers (North America Director, RSF) – Presented the RSF's annual World Press Freedom Index, including a map illustrating varying levels of press freedom by country. He oversees an office which monitors press freedom across English-speaking North America and advances RSF's global priorities to advocate for journalist safety and everyone's right to information.
Journalist Georgia Fort and Clayton Weimers (North America Director, RSF)
Meher Tatner, past president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA)
Following the panel discussions, the audience members participated in a lively question-and-answer session. The event concluded with renewed calls for protecting journalistic independence and supporting journalists and media professionals working under increasing political, safety, and technological challenges. Speakers emphasized that a free and independent press remains fundamental to democratic society and global human rights.
TV host Joey Zhou, founder of LABA
About Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders (RSF – Reporters Sans Frontières) is an international nonprofit and nongovernmental organization headquartered in Paris, France, dedicated to defending freedom of information and press freedom worldwide. Founded in 1985 in Montpellier by four journalists, RSF operates on the principle that everyone has the right to access and share news and information freely, consistent with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The organization holds consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the International Organisation of the Francophonie.
About the Los Angeles Press Club
The Los Angeles Press Club supports, promotes, and defends quality journalism throughout Southern California. The organization works to encourage excellence in journalism while engaging the public in recognizing the importance of a free press in a democratic society. In addition, the Press Club provides opportunities for journalists to gather, network, and learn from one another through professional events and programs. The Los Angeles Press Club is the only organization in Southern California representing journalists across newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and digital media.
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by Art Hearts Fashion, Crab Grabber, ISEGSTAR, World Peace One, MDSUN, XAVVI, Shennel Trading, Cynthia Clarté, InLight Foundation, Jiannan Huang Art Institute, Liu Chun Art Studio in Beverly, and The Beverly Arts Foundation
